"... And you shall give him"

(Please read Matthew 1:18-25)

He awoke from his dream
having heard words
that spilled into his life
and disrupted his plans.
Yet, in the midst
of this unsettling holy mystery
came the very settling words
“…and YOU shall give him
the name Jesus.”

The father of this
soon-to-be-born child
had given the one
who would be the infant's
earthly father
this joy, and right
and privilege
and responsibility,
“…and YOU shall give him
the name Jesus.

It was a first gift given
with a Great Love.
The gift tag read…
“From father
to father,
with love.
Yes, YOU shall give him
the name Jesus.”

The gift tag continued …
“There is a righteousness about you,
and tenderness and compassion.
There is strength in your humbleness,
and obedience that doesn’t hesitate.
There is hard, honest work in your days
and character in your life.
Yes, YOU shall give him
the name Jesus.”

A father lifted an infant
high to the heavens
and to the world
and declared,
with all authority,
“His name is Jesus.”

He then kissed the face
of his newborn son,
realizing
that in this gift of love,
from father to father,
this would truly become
his own journey of love.

anna